Saturday 6 February 2010 15.45 EST
First published on Saturday 6 February 2010 15.45 EST

England started their Six Nations with a performance to put a smile on the face of their manager, Martin Johnson. Having snarled all week at any suggestion that an upturn of the lips had a place on the international rugby field, he nevertheless celebrated his team's three tries, two by flanker James Haskell and one for scrum-half Danny Care.

This was not a carefree performance by England, but it was less mournful than their autumn series. The boos that had rung around Twickenham in November gave way to sincere cheers. This was a good win well-received, not a complete performance by any means, but a decent foundation stone. It was not without it twists and turns, and even had a full scare, going on long enough to allow Wales to rally in the ­second half.

Tries by Adam Jones and James Hook threatened to turn the match on its head. But really it was a brief 10-minute spell around half-time that settled the match. This was the time spent by the Wales ­second-row Alun Wyn Jones in the sin bin for tripping Dylan Hartley. While he was off the field, England scored 17 points.

In a game between two very evenly matched teams at the start of a campaign, it was always more likely that an error was going to determine the outcome than any stroke of genius. And so it was that a trip became the sin what won it.

Wales had problems beyond the leg that AW Jones stuck under Hartley. Even when their main lineout forward was available, they had a torrid time at the lineout, England picking off just about every throw from Gareth Williams.

They also had trouble keeping the ball above ground with their passing. From Gareth Cooper's service to the interchanges in midfield, the ball bobbled and bounced out of control. It was only after Williams was replaced by Huw Bennett and Cooper by Richie Rees that the comeback could begin.

It was ended emphatically when Haskell was on hand to finish a surge by England after Delon Armitage intercepted a pass from Stephen Jones. England's ­support of Armitage – first Toby Flood, then Mathew Tait, then Haskell – was exemplary, but the error was more evident than the quality of the finish.

England had opened with an emphasis on a passing game, but they, too, tended to throw an inaccurate pass at the wrong moment. In truth, this was not a game of the highest quality, but for the ­victors falling rust may lead to the body of ­players gleaming by the end of March.

For the losers, confidence can drain away. It does not mean Wales are out of the running for the title, but there is not much time to rebuild a lineout and put passes where they are supposed to go. Nick Easter gave a reassuringly robust performance at No8. He missed the autumn internationals through injury, as did Delon Armitage at full-back. But whereas the London Irish player looked less elusive than usual, Easter took the game by the scruff of its neck and made himself the central performer.

He did miss one ball in the second half and was collared by his opposite number, Ryan Jones, but it was a rare blemish. Easter typified the determination of the England team to rumble on even if the ride was slightly bumpy.

The question of style is bound to ­continue. There was a massive amount of kicking and none of it particularly effective. But the second half was also exciting and produced the drama of the Welsh comeback and its crushing by England's final try.

For creativity, England had no one to match James Hook, who proved that even in this age of ruthless defences it is still possible to beat an opponent and make an opening for others. Hook also showed off his hand-off, leaving Tim Payne and Danny Care with sore jaws after his run for the line.

Jamie Roberts, too, had the odd blast in the centre. On limited possession, and plagued by inaccuracy, Wales still ­managed to make breaks. For all their possession and strength at the ­breakdown, England still looked laboured in attack.

They certainly had the most reliable kicker on the field. Jonny Wilkinson, it almost goes without saying, kept the points coming with military precision, exempt from the charge of inaccuracy.

Hook, on the other hand, was given the first two attempts at goal, long shots that he pushed and pulled. Stephen Jones then took over and at least got Wales under way, but he seems to have lost length in his kicking. The more he has bulked up, the less far he can strike the ball.

If Wilkinson, an old hero, showed up well, there was also a fine performance from England's captain, Steve ­Borthwick, who does not often enjoy flattering reviews. But he did fine spoiling work at the lineout and made one particularly fine steal in open play.

Nothing reduces the heat on a captain like a ­victory, but throw in a striking individual ­display and Borthwick can almost bask in the glow.

He is not exactly the type to suggest that he is going to do anything but take it one game at a time, but his mood must be happier. A smile is still not yet part of the England rugby vocabulary, but their captain can at least say that this would do for starters.

• This article was amended on Monday, 8 February 2010 because we inadvertently said that Alun Wyn Jones tripped Mark Cueto but it was, in fact, Dylan Hartley who was brought down.